Charles Max Cole

Charles Max Cole, M.D., died at the age of 95 on June 1, 2009, surrounded by family and friends. Born on May 26, 1914 in Garland, TX to Edwin Gardner Cole and Nattie Sparks Cole, Max was the fourth of five sons, all of whom predeceased him: Glenn, Gardner, Nathan, and Dan. When Max was a child, the family moved to Dallas, where he graduated from Lipscomb Elementary and Woodrow Wilson High School. He earned a B.A. from SMU in 1937 and M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1942. Max supported himself through medical school by working as a field secretary for Delta Chi fraternity, and at a party in 1940 he met the love of his life, Marilynn Anderson of Manning, Iowa. After her graduation from Manning Schools in 1939, the couple married on June 13, 1943.

Max completed an internship and residency in general surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital and served as Captain in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army 1945-47. He conducted a private practice of general surgery for 50+ years. In 1964 he served as President of Dallas County Medical Society, which later created the annual Max Cole Leadership Award to recognize a member who shows outstanding service to medical professional organizations. Max served as the first Chief of Surgery at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas 1966-81, President of Texas Medical Association 1969-70, Member of Texas State Board of Health 1971-83, Member of Board of Trustees of American Medical Association 1977-84, Council on Hospital Staffs for American Hospital Association 1984-88, Vice President & Director of Texas Health Foundation 1984-86, Trustee of Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas 1985-91, Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Village North 1991-96, and Board of Governors of Presbyterian Village North 1996-2005.

Max received the Distinguished Service Award from Texas Medical Association in 1984, the Distinguished Service Award from Dallas County Medical Society in 1985, election to the Hall of Fame of Woodrow Wilson High School in 1989, and the SMU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991. Max is survived by wife Marilynn, their two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons: Cindy Cole Finley and Jim Finley of Dallas; Karen Cole Magnon, M.D. and Robert Jay Magnon M.D. of San Antonio; and grandsons Grant Cole Magnon of New York City, and Jason Cole Magnon of Minneapolis. The life of Max Cole will be celebrated in a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2009, at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, corner of Walnut Hill Lane & Preston Rd, Dallas 75230. In lieu of flowers the family suggests Max be remembered with a contribution to Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation or the charity of your choice.